Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 30 of 32
Full-Text Articles in Entire DC Network
Reducing Disproportional Discipline Referrals For African American Male Students At The Elementary Level, Kelly-Robin St. John Macpherson
Reducing Disproportional Discipline Referrals For African American Male Students At The Elementary Level, Kelly-Robin St. John Macpherson
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
The National Center for Educational Statistics documents that most teachers in urban/city schools are White, female teachers. Differences in communication styles, culture and involvement can have a negative impact on the educational experiences of minority and male students. However, there are White, female teachers who can demonstrate the ability to engage their students that have helped to the reduce the disciplinary disparity in their schools. This study focuses on answering the overarching question, what dispositional characteristics/qualities, instructional methods, environmental parameters and classroom management techniques do White, female teachers perceive contribute to lower classroom disciplinary referrals for African American males in …
Voiceless In Medical School: Students With Physical Disabilities, Michael J. Donlan
Voiceless In Medical School: Students With Physical Disabilities, Michael J. Donlan
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
Students with physical disabilities are underrepresented in medical school. Individuals with physical disabilities have largely been left out the diversity movement, which has increased access to medical education for women and minority students (Steinberg, Iezzoni, Conill, & Stineman, 2010). For students with physical disabilities who are admitted, not much is known about their experiences, thus the focus of this study was to explore the medical school experiences of individuals with physical disabilities. as the theoretical framework, the social model of disability as developed by Oliver (2009) allowed for an examination of how medical students with physical disabilities experienced the medical …
A Study Of The Degree To Which School Districts In Virginia Include Legal Or Illegal Inquiries On Employment Application Forms For Teachers, Rodney Jamel Brown
A Study Of The Degree To Which School Districts In Virginia Include Legal Or Illegal Inquiries On Employment Application Forms For Teachers, Rodney Jamel Brown
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
Federal legislation on illegal pre-employment inquiries has become increasingly well known. Unfortunately, many districts may learn too late that their employment application forms for teachers do not comply with federal regulations regarding pre-employment inquiries. This study examined teacher employment application forms used by school districts in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Examination of these applications identified the information that would likely disclose an applicant’s membership in a protected class. All 132 school districts employment applications were analyzed for compliant with EEOC guidelines. Despite knowledge of Title VII, its resulting legal decisions and millions of dollars paid by employers, all but one …
Chronic Sorrow In Family Members Of Addicts: An Investigation Of Partners Of Addicts And Divorcees To Explore Chronic Sorrow As A Theoretical Understanding Of The Experiences Of Family Members Of Addicts, Victoria Grace Mclaughlin
Chronic Sorrow In Family Members Of Addicts: An Investigation Of Partners Of Addicts And Divorcees To Explore Chronic Sorrow As A Theoretical Understanding Of The Experiences Of Family Members Of Addicts, Victoria Grace Mclaughlin
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
CHRONIC SORROW IN FAMILY MEMBERS OF ADDICTS: AN INVESTIGATION OF PARTNERS OF ADDICTS AND DIVORCEES TO EXPLORE CHRONIC SORROW AS A THEORETICAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE EXPERIENCES OF FAMILY MEMBERS OF ADDICTS ABSTRACT This study attempted to examine chronic sorrow as a theoretical understanding of the negative psychological symptoms of family members of addicts (FMoAs). Partners of addicts (PoAs) (n = 94) were compared against divorcees (n = 66) for chronic sorrow and codependence. Males (n = 53) and females (n = 107) were also compared for chronic sorrow and codependence. Some hypotheses were supported, such as chronic sorrow increased as …
College, Interrupted: A Case Study Of The Mental Health Leave Process, Rachel L. Mcdonald-Schneider
College, Interrupted: A Case Study Of The Mental Health Leave Process, Rachel L. Mcdonald-Schneider
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
Students who experience a mental health crisis while enrolled in College experience an interruption to their college journey. This single site case study examined the mental health leave and reenrollment process and its impact on college student development using the lens of Nancy Schlossberg’s (2011) model of transition. This study also examined the perceptions and values of college staff as they worked to advocate for and support students who engaged in the process. Using my conceptual model of the mental health leave and reenrollment process for guidance, college personnel can use the four main transitions that occur during this process-crisis, …
High Achieving English Language Learners: The Schooling Experiences Of Former Ell Students Enrolled In Advanced High School Courses, Anthony Vladu
High Achieving English Language Learners: The Schooling Experiences Of Former Ell Students Enrolled In Advanced High School Courses, Anthony Vladu
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
With immigration at record levels, public schools are educating an increasing number of English Language Learners who are less academically successful. There is a dearth of research on academically successful former ELL students. The purpose of this study was to identify the shared schooling experiences, shared success factors, and shared inhibiting factors of former ELL students enrolled in AP and IB coursework at the high school level. This phenomenological study used structured student and teacher interviews as well as classroom observations for the generation and collection of data. Seven students participated in this study. This study found that former ELL …
An Investigation Of School Counselor Understanding And Response To Help Seeking Among Second Generation Asian American Students In The Us Public School System, Sharon Chung
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
Asian Americans are a rapidly growing population in the US and have high levels of psychological distress. However, Asian Americans tend not to ask for help from mental health professionals in regards to social/emotional issues, including school counselors. Asian American students are typical in terms of their presence within the US mainstream public school system, yet they are atypical in experiencing a variety of stressors and issues such as academic pressures, language and communication difficulties with parents/guardians, acculturative stress, and many more (Chang & Smith, 2015; Mouw & Xie, 1999; Berry, 2005). Despite mental health needs and the growing relevance …
Beyond The Campus Tour: College Choice And The Campus Visit, Justine Rebecca Okerson
Beyond The Campus Tour: College Choice And The Campus Visit, Justine Rebecca Okerson
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
College choice, the decision-making process for students of whether and where to attend college, is complex. The college choice process also affects a range of stakeholders: high school students, parents, public policymakers, high schools, admission professionals, and institutions of higher education. Understanding the influences of college choice for prospective students allows colleges and universities to examine best practices in admission and enrollment management. Even though the campus visit has a significant affect on a student’s decision for application and enrollment, what remains unknown is how the construct of the campus visit is perceived among students and how students’ perceptions of …
New Teacher Induction: A Program Evaluation, Warren Hunter
New Teacher Induction: A Program Evaluation, Warren Hunter
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
The purpose of this qualitative program evaluation was to examine the impact a two-year new teacher induction program had on teachers’ feelings of support, satisfaction, and self-efficacy. The program purports that higher feelings of support, satisfaction, and self-efficacy in teachers will lead to lower teacher attrition. In turn, research shows that if teachers stay at a school they are more likely to improve their instruction and positively impact student performance. The goal of the study was to identify areas of the induction program that work well in increasing teachers perceptions positively in the three focus areas and to look for …
A Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experiences Of High School Counselors Involved In Determining Serious And Foreseeable Harm In Cases Of Student Substance Abuse, Kathryn Goss Atanasov
A Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experiences Of High School Counselors Involved In Determining Serious And Foreseeable Harm In Cases Of Student Substance Abuse, Kathryn Goss Atanasov
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of ten practiced American high school counselors and their work with student substance users. The results of this study provide a rich description and deeper understanding the school counselors’ social and cultural worlds--Illuminating the circumstances under which the participants found students to be in serious and foreseeable harm due to substance abuse. Using a pure phenomenological qualitative research design, the study was conducted through the theoretical lens of the social constructivist model of ethical decision-making in counseling. The data revealed three major themes and several subthemes. The first theme, “Community and School Climate,” …
Developing Global Competency Skills In Grades 9-12: Implications For School Leadership, Bettina Staudt
Developing Global Competency Skills In Grades 9-12: Implications For School Leadership, Bettina Staudt
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
The purpose of the phenomenological study was to examine and understand public high schools, grades 9-12, which have implemented the full integration of global competency skills as an integral part of their core mission. This study also explored, how school leaders ensured that global competency skills are developed, implemented and integrated across all content areas. Data were collected through interviews, document analysis, foreign language student enrollment data and observation. Participants included Central office school program administrators, principals, assistant principals, directors of guidance, Global program directors and World Language Department Leaders.
Different Faces In Our Classrooms: Teachers' Cultural Perspectives Of Heterogeneous School Environments, Paige Hendricks
Different Faces In Our Classrooms: Teachers' Cultural Perspectives Of Heterogeneous School Environments, Paige Hendricks
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
The foundation of the United States’ educational system is that all students will be educated equally by offering access to knowledge, opportunities, and services resulting in the creation of positive societal contributors. However, this task is complex and challenging. Heterogeneous student populations due to increased culturally diversity, do not match the stable teacher population. Therefore, a disconnection occurs between student and teacher populations and corresponding cultural views. Adopting cultural theories from anthropology, business, and education, this quasi-ethnographic study, within one elementary school, examined the relationship between the created culture and understandings of various sociocultural student identities by three first grade …
Comprehensive Internationalization: Examining The What, Why, And How At Community Colleges, Debra-Ann C. Butler
Comprehensive Internationalization: Examining The What, Why, And How At Community Colleges, Debra-Ann C. Butler
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
Community colleges enroll nearly half of the total U.S. undergraduates, have the most diverse student population, and serve as the only contact with postsecondary education for many students. Community colleges have engaged in internationalization efforts for decades. Most rely on study abroad and international students as the only methods to internationalize their campuses. A focus on study abroad is not an effective method to internationalize the campus and provide all students with the global awareness and skills necessary to be successful in today’s society. The American Council on Education Model for Comprehensive Internationalization (2012a), Knight’s (1997) rationales framework, and Knight’s …
School Counselor Involvement In Partnerships With Families Of Color: A Social Cognitive Perspective, Pamela Nadine Harris
School Counselor Involvement In Partnerships With Families Of Color: A Social Cognitive Perspective, Pamela Nadine Harris
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
School-family partnerships facilitate the academic and personal success of all students. Whereas forming these partnerships are a component of school counselor identity, school counselors are commonly unprepared to form and maintain such relationships. Additionally, shifting racial demographics within K-12 schools call for culturally responsive partnership-building, as the majority of school counselors continue to belong to the dominant culture. The purpose of this study was to explore the characteristics of school counselors as it relates to involvement in partnerships with families of color. Using a social cognitive theoretical framework, this study solicited a national sample of 155 practicing school counselors to …
A Phenomenological Investigation Of Women's Learning Experiences In Counselor Education, Lindsay Pennell Meyers
A Phenomenological Investigation Of Women's Learning Experiences In Counselor Education, Lindsay Pennell Meyers
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
Counselor education pedagogy has not sufficiently recognized or incorporated current knowledge of gender differences and their potential impact on women's learning experiences. Instead, the body of research that addresses gender in counselor education refers to incorporating gender in the classroom as a topic of discussion rather than considering gender as a component in the learning process. The body of literature on counselor education pedagogy at the doctoral level remains sparse. to date, no research has recognized gender as a lens for pedagogical training in the counselor education doctorate. This phenomenological study examined the learning experiences of eight women counselor education …
Making Meaning With Multimedia In Secondary English Language Arts: A Multiple Case Study, Kerrigan Rose Mahoney
Making Meaning With Multimedia In Secondary English Language Arts: A Multiple Case Study, Kerrigan Rose Mahoney
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
The purpose of this multiple case study was to learn about how secondary English language arts (ELA) teachers help students to make meaning with multimedia. The study focused on how and why teachers plan and implement meaning-making learning experiences. The cases represent the experiences and perspectives of five ELA teachers who use digital and non-digital multimedia texts to help their students develop skills in meaning making. The results of this study define a set of principles that the teachers use to guide planning and implementation processes that focus on authentic, student-centered learning. The teachers value learning that has relevance to …
Personality Predictors Of Academic Achievement In Gifted Students: Mediation By Socio-Cognitive And Motivational Variables, Sakhavat Mammadov
Personality Predictors Of Academic Achievement In Gifted Students: Mediation By Socio-Cognitive And Motivational Variables, Sakhavat Mammadov
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
This quantitative study investigated the predictive role of the Big Five personality traits on academic achievement and its mediation by self-efficacy in self-regulated learning and academic motivation within the sample of gifted students (N = 161). The ACT or ACT Explore scores were used as a measure of academic achievement. The first question asked about the relationships between the Big Five personality traits and all other measured variables. Agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness were found to have significant associations with the ACT/ACT Explore composite and subtest scores. The second research question asked if personality, motivation, and self-regulatory efficacy differed by grade …
Teacher And Principal Perceptions Of A New Evaluation Program For Teachers, Ruth Shannon Finnegan
Teacher And Principal Perceptions Of A New Evaluation Program For Teachers, Ruth Shannon Finnegan
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
The ability to evaluate teachers accurately is indispensable for both the development of effective teachers and for student achievement. In this era of accountability, it is important school districts develop evaluation systems that comply with the propriety, utility, feasibility, and accuracy standards of the Joint Committee on Standards for Educational Evaluations. This study focused on a process evaluation of a new teacher evaluation program. While previous studies have been conducted from the teachers or the evaluators’ perspectives, this study examined both perspectives. More than 1,500 teachers and 41 principals were invited to complete an online instrument modified from surveys conducted …
Inner City African American Female Adolescents:Investigating Percpetions Of Womanhood And Aggressive Behavior, Deneen Miller
Inner City African American Female Adolescents:Investigating Percpetions Of Womanhood And Aggressive Behavior, Deneen Miller
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
The purpose of this study was to investigate perceptions of womanhood among African American female adolescents, and whether or not their perceptions consisted of aggressive or violent behavior. Black Feminist Thought and Social Constructionism were theoretical perspectives used to frame this qualitative study. Six African American female adolescents from two different cities participated in this study. Data collection included a semi-structured interview with each participant separately, transcribing each interview, downloading transcribed data into a qualitative data analysis program, and combing data for themes. This study attempted to answer to primary questions: How do Inner City African American female adolescents view …
Community Of Practice: Evaluation Of A Collaboration Program In An Educational Setting, Denise Citarelli Jones
Community Of Practice: Evaluation Of A Collaboration Program In An Educational Setting, Denise Citarelli Jones
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
Although collaborative programs are used in a variety of educational contexts, during the implementation of new curricula, collaboration among teachers is essential since the difference between curriculum-in-theory and curriculum-in-use lies specifically with teachers’ adherence to the implemented curriculum rather than the curriculum that was written. When multiple teachers implement a curricular initiative and interact with the materials in different, teacher-specific ways, curriculum fidelity across teachers is a true concern, rendering an evaluation of the curricular program unstable. For this reason, consistent, embedded collaboration during the first year of new curricula has the potential to provide a vehicle for implementation alignment. …
A Comparative Case Study Of The Role Of The School District In Influencing School Improvement: Supporting And Turning Around Low-Performing Schools, Christopher J. Kelly
A Comparative Case Study Of The Role Of The School District In Influencing School Improvement: Supporting And Turning Around Low-Performing Schools, Christopher J. Kelly
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
The purpose of this study was to examine the efforts of school districts in developing and sustaining their capacity to improve student achievement in response to increased accountability. The study sought to confirm what the research says regarding the role of the school district in influencing school improvement. While there is a significant body of research identifying elements for turning around low-performing schools, limited information exists on the roles of school district leaders in influencing school improvement. The study employed comparative case study methodology to examine the details of two school districts that had engaged in turning around low-achieving schools …
Urban Teachers' Perceptions Of The Implementation Of The Virginia Guidelines For Uniform Performance Standards And Evaluation Criteria For Teachers, Bernadette Y. Smith
Urban Teachers' Perceptions Of The Implementation Of The Virginia Guidelines For Uniform Performance Standards And Evaluation Criteria For Teachers, Bernadette Y. Smith
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
Urban Teachers’ Perceptions of the Implementation of the Virginia Guidelines for Uniform Performance Standards and Evaluation Criteria for Teachers Abstract An emphasis has been placed on teacher evaluation to improve student achievement; therefore, states such as Virginia have had to revise their teacher evaluation systems. The most recent revisions in Virginia were implemented in 2012. A major component of the revision was the inclusion of student progress in teacher evaluation. Since the inclusion of student progress into teacher evaluation, teachers, and administrators have had to make adjustments in their practices and procedures related to teacher evaluation. Consequently, the purpose of …
The Effectiveness Of The Achievable Dream Parent Involvement Program, Lee Vreeland
The Effectiveness Of The Achievable Dream Parent Involvement Program, Lee Vreeland
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
The purpose of this mixed methods study is to determine if An Achievable Dream Academies are implementing an environment that is welcoming and inclusive of families. Based on the outcomes, decisions will be made to determine if the environment is inclusive or needs to be revisited to encourage family involvement. Participants included the 5, 7, 8, 10, and 11 grade families at An Achievable Dream Academy and An Achievable Dream Middle and High School in Newport News, Virginia. The study used the CIPP model of program evaluation to guide data collect on the context, input, process, and products of the …
The Impact Of The Social, Academic, And Moral Development Programs Of An Achievable Dream On Students During Their College And University Experience, Amy Lawrence Runge
The Impact Of The Social, Academic, And Moral Development Programs Of An Achievable Dream On Students During Their College And University Experience, Amy Lawrence Runge
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
This evaluation case study explores the impact of the An Achievable Dream social, academic, and moral program on college student’s performance in college. Through this study, the researcher was able to provide insight on college student and college student advocates perceptions of An Achievable Dream’s social, academic, and moral program’s impact on these college students’ college experience. Triangulation of data involved using college student advocate’s interviews, college student’s surveys, and additional artifacts (grade point averages and data regarding length of time college student advocates have been working with the students). Five themes emerged as significant in describing the college student …
Seeing The Paradigm: Education Professionals' Advocacy For The Gifted Student With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Patricia Costis
Seeing The Paradigm: Education Professionals' Advocacy For The Gifted Student With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Patricia Costis
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
Meeting the needs of the gifted student with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) requires addressing both conditions. Education professionals are in a unique position to begin this process by referring the student to school specialists for evaluation. However, diagnostic confusion surrounding autism, misconceptions about special education, varying conceptions of giftedness, and overlapping behaviors of giftedness and ASD can inhibit education professionals’ ability to recognize unique behaviors of gifted students with ASD, and make appropriate referrals, placing the student at academic risk. Autism and giftedness have been studied separately in the fields of education and psychology for more than half a century. …
Experience, Time, And Opportunity: An Exploratory Case Study Regarding The Artistic Journeys Of Middle School Adolescents And Their Perceptions Of The Influence Of Environmental Factors On The Development Of Their Visual Art Talent In Rural Montana Communities, Gayle B. Roege
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
Artistic talent is critical to offering creative contributions to society’s challenges and opportunities (in balance with technical, business, and other domains). Emphasis on art experiences and skills is missing in school programs, due to financial and accountability constraints, and encouraging prioritization on “core” subjects. Rural environments present particular challenges: while they are identified as fertile ground for developing a creative class, low population density makes it difficult to provide substantial support for in-depth exploratory, experiential creative endeavors. A crucial element of maintaining personal commitment to one’s talent area is support. While support from the family is essential, the value a …
College Athletes’ Reflective Judgment: A Moderator Between Sport And Sociocultural Pressures, Body Ideal Internalization, And Body Dissatisfaction, Catie A. Greene
College Athletes’ Reflective Judgment: A Moderator Between Sport And Sociocultural Pressures, Body Ideal Internalization, And Body Dissatisfaction, Catie A. Greene
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
The purpose of this research was to investigate the sociocultural model of eating disorder development among male and female college student-athletes as moderated by students’ level of Reflective Judgment, a stage theory of adult epistemology marked by increasing cognitive complexity. A review of literature on the established relationships between pressures in sociocultural and sport environments to adhere to body ideals and resulting body dissatisfaction as mediated by body ideal internalization was presented. The Reflective Judgment model was hypothesized as a moderator to body ideal internalization due to its relationship with feminist identity development (a moderator among females) and applicability to …
Emerging From Resistance: The Origins Of The Virginia Technical College System, Richard Allen Hodges
Emerging From Resistance: The Origins Of The Virginia Technical College System, Richard Allen Hodges
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
The purpose of this study was to explore factors leading to the founding of the Virginia Technical College System (VTCS). These factors are observed primarily within the timeframe of 1954-1966. The Virginia Community College System (VCCS) evolved from the Technical College System, and began in 1964. Classes started at the first technical colleges in September 1965. Despite the writings of two previous histories concerning the founding of the VCCS, one in 1977 and another in 1987, the events that led to the creation of the technical college system have never been documented, nor have the linkages between the technical college …
Williams Hierarchical Integrated Model Measurement: Assessment Design, Construction, And Initial Validation, Amy Elizabeth Williams
Williams Hierarchical Integrated Model Measurement: Assessment Design, Construction, And Initial Validation, Amy Elizabeth Williams
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
The purpose of this study was to design and pilot an instrument, the WHIMM, that uses the Williams Hierarchical Integrated Model as a foundation for measuring needs met within and outside of substance use for individuals age 18 and older who report previously considering cutting down on alcohol or drug use. Instrument construction and validation were completed using a first pilot (n=200), a pilot one-re-contact (n=50), and a final administration (n=420). The scale development process allowed for initial validation of the WHIMM, including measurement of inter-item reliability, test-retest reliability, correlation between subscales, and construct validity. In addition, a scoring metric …
A Program Evaluation Of Teacher Perceptions On The Fidelity Of Implementation Of Professional Learning Communities., Elondra D. Napper
A Program Evaluation Of Teacher Perceptions On The Fidelity Of Implementation Of Professional Learning Communities., Elondra D. Napper
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
No abstract provided.